Can you smell the barbecue yet? It’s almost the Fourth of July! The upcoming holiday is a great time to enjoy the warm scorching hot weather, put some burgers on the grill, and celebrate our country.
A pool party and some fireworks make for a wonderful weekend – but if the party gets out of hand, criminal charges can impact more than just your summer fun.
Case-in-point? July 4th is notorious for high rates of DWI arrests. In 2017, state troopers in the Rio Grande Valley made 92 DWI arrests during the Fourth of July weekend. Ninety-two arrests in just four counties around Texas!
Law enforcement officials warn their districts every year about cracking down on drunk driving around the holiday, and this year will be no different. Alcohol leads to half of all deadly crashes around this time of year, and police want to prevent as many accidents as possible by getting drunk drivers off the road.
The Penalties for DWI in Texas
If you are arrested for DWI, you face penalties beyond a slap on the wrist. The state of Texas suggests the following consequences for a first DWI conviction:
- Fines up to $2,000
- Up to 180 days in jail
- Up to a year without a driver’s license
- Annual fees to restore your driver’s license
The penalties increase significantly if you have a second or third conviction. If you’ve brought your family along to a picnic and get caught drunk driving with children less than 15 years old in your car, you also face increased penalties.
What Texans Can Do to Avoid an Independence Day DWI Charge
Prepare for your Fourth of July barbecue by having a plan in place. It only takes a drink or two for most people to be over the legal limit.
What can you do?
Don’t Drive. It’s as simple as that. If you are planning on drinking during the Fourth of July weekend, find a way to get home without a car. Designate a sober driver for the day or budget some money away for a cab or rideshare. If you are going to a friend’s house for festivities, ask about crashing on their sofa for the night and driving in the morning.
Drink Water. Alternate between a beer and a glass of water or other non-alcoholic drink throughout the barbecue. It takes an hour for the body to process an alcoholic drink. If you pace yourself and drink enough water or virgin cocktails, you can stay under control and stay sober enough to get behind the wheel.
Make Use of the Latest Apps. Before you hit the road, even if you feel pretty sober, consult an app to see how high your blood alcohol content could be. Apps allow users to guess their BAC based on their height, weight, and drinks consumed during the day. If the answer is within a few decimal points, wait an extra hour before you drive.
Take a Second Helping! A lot of factors influence blood alcohol content: age, gender, weight, and even the food in your stomach. Partying on an empty stomach increases your chances of getting out of control. Use your blood alcohol content as an excuse to have another hamburger or hot dog.
Accused of DWI in Texas?
If you are currently facing DWI charges, you can develop a defense strategy and walk out of court without a conviction. Reach out to a Texas defense lawyer for more information on your next steps.
About the Author:
After getting his Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center, Jeff Hampton began practicing criminal law in Texas in 2005. Before becoming a defense attorney, he worked as a prosecutor for the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office – experience he uses to anticipate and cast doubt on the arguments that will be used against his clients. Over the course of his career, he has helped countless Texans protect their rights and get the best possible outcome in their criminal cases. His skill has earned him recognition from the National Trial Lawyers (Top 100 Trial Lawyers) and Avvo (Top Attorney in Criminal Defense, Top Attorney in DUI & DWI, 10/10 Superb Rating), and he is Lead Counsel rated.
